PROJECT ATHLETES

An athletic training and mentoring program for teens

PROJECT ATHLETES

Organized sports have proven to provide a positive outlet for teens. They build friendships, find mentors through coaches, maintain academic achievement and provide activities that keep teens out of trouble. The vision of PROJECT ATHLETES is to keep teens engaged with the benefits of organized sports on the off-season and throughout the entire year. ​PROJECT ATHLETES is designed for junior and senior high school athletes to improve their personal athletic abilities and their personal growth development. The program includes individualized cross-training, a unique accountability program, and an after-school programming option for students.

PROJECT ATHLETES is a valuable part of after-school programing. It provides junior high and high school students an opportunity for off-season training but also, an opportunity for physical activity and to be a part of a "team" regardless of athletic ability or whether they received a spot on their school's sports team. PROJECT ATHLETES after-school programing also offers mentoring, academic guidance, homework time, and free snacks.

PROJECT ATHLETES fosters life's positive outlooks in ways that help guide teens on their life journey. Focused on physical conditioning, this structured mentoring program recognizes and promotes academic standing, goal setting and balance in their lives.

HISTORY

Project Athletes’ roots date back to 2009, when one of the co-founders began training and mentoring student athletes. The mission was to keep kids involved in sports, monitor and improve their academics and character, and help guide them to higher education. Many of the most impacted students involved in the early years were student athletes considered at-risk and/or from low-income families. Whether it was lack of food, shoes, sleep, structure, or guidance those athletes continuously ran into roadblocks and struggled to make it onto the sports field and eventually, the graduation podium. That is when the dream of Project Athletes, Inc. was born. Remove the roadblocks, give all kids an opportunity, and foster an outlook on life focused on athletic, academic, character improvement, and graduating.

By 2016, plans were in the works to form an independent non-profit organization to increase impact and reach. Project Athletes’ pilot program launched at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, Champaign, IL, August 2016. It expanded to Champaign, IL and Urbana, IL school districts in Fall 2016. The first summer program, Summer Speed School, was launched in 2017 at the Stephens Family YMCA, Champaign, IL attracting participants from roughly 13 area schools.

Today, Project Athletes is a critical part of after-school and community center programming for junior high school and high school teens. The program impacts more than 200 students a week while in session and nearly 100 register for it’s summer programming.

Programming reaches three key groups: athletes seeking off-season training, students looking to be part of team who may or may not receive a spot on their school’s sports team, and low-income/at-risk youth.

To this day, Project Athletes has donated more than 100 pairs of shoes to students in need of athletic shoes, cleats, and spikes through its Cleats for Kids program founded in 2017. Project Athletes also supports student athletic apparel, athletic registration fees, community-based athletic training for programs and athletes in need of mentorship or financial support.

“Project Athletes will bridge the gap. We can’t guarantee they will play in the NBA, but we will bridge the gap, give kids a fighting chance, and make them better people in the process.”​Project Athletes is funded by the its founders, public and private donations.